Town Board Meeting — Minutes

Page 1 of 3 Town of Merton Town Board Meeting Minutes of January 27, 2025 • Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Klink 6:30 pm • Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairman Klink • Minutes– Minutes of January 12, 2025. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Fleming/Olson. Motion carried. Present: Chairman Klink, Supervisors Herrick, Olson, Fleming and Morris, DPW Director Griffin, and Clerk Hann. Absent: Treasurer Kempen, Attorney Murn Also, in attendance: Chief Wraalstad, Chief Paral, Holly Stapleton, Joe and Robin Lavan, Mark Adams, Rich Winkelman. Citizen Comments and Concerns: Chief Wraalstad reviewed the Town of Merton Police Summary and talked about the new magnets for the patrol vehicles used in the town. Robin Lavan addressed the board about the new library scrolling sign and does not like the look of the new sign. The old sign represented the look of the library. Joe Lavan stated that he attended a library board meeting. He has two concerns. One, a library board member stated the town is reducing funding for the library however Supervisor Herrick corrected that board member. Two, he also stated that the new sign is not complimentary to the library and does not fit with the look of the library. Chairman Klink stated the library is miss informing him because they are still getting the same funding from the Bridges Library that the Town is a member of. The Town is asking for accountability of the funding. Chairman Klink stated this is a listening session and not an agenda item for action and will take their concerns under advisement. Holly Stapleton lives next door to the library and does not like the new sign and would like to see it removed. She questioned if there is any ordinance on lighting and stated that there is an ordinance on public nuisance Ordinance 10.02. She referred to Sign Ordinance 17.25 (3) HAZARDS OR NUISANCES PROHIBITED. No sign, billboard or other advertising media which creates a hazard or dangerous distraction to vehicular traffic or a nuisance to adjoining residential property shall be permitted in any district. Holly stated the library director is trying to increase the number of patrons to get more funding and local residents don’t know about the library. Holly stated the library director report showed that there was an increase of attendance in all areas of the library for 2024 which does not match the reasoning for the new sign. Stapleton also requested the town look at replacing trees that were recently taken down behind her property on the town property. Chairman Klink thank the residents for coming in and sharing their concerns. Old Business: Consider/Act on Speed Study on Dorn Road. DPW Director Griffin reviewed the speed study done by Waukesha County that was presented at the last meeting. Based on the results of the study the recommendation is to leave the speed at 45 MPH. The study did not show a reason for lowering the speed and the recommendation is to leave it alone. A motion to leave the speed at 45 MPH on Dorn Road was made by Herrick/Olson. Motion carried. Page 2 of 3 New Business: Consider/Act on Determining Sale Value of ATV owned jointly with the Village of Merton used by the Village of Merton Fire Department. Chief Paral stated that they would like to sell the 2002 ATV Polaris Ranger that is owned jointly between the Village on the Town. The agreed upon price would be $4,500 and the village would write a check to the town for $2,475. A motion to approve selling the ATV for $4500 with the town receiving $2,475 was made by Morris/Olson. Motion carried. Consider/Act on updating Meeting Room Rental Policy and possible additional Cleaning Costs if rental is weekend party . Clerk Hann talked to the board about additional cleaning cost if the hall is rented out for parties and reviewing the current rental policy. The only rentals the town has had in the past has been for meetings of the Lake Districts, etc. Discussion followed about charging for party rental and then returning a partial deposit back if everything is ok. Supervisor Morris asked for more time to review this item. Chairman Klink suggested coming back to next meeting with ideas. Consider/Act on approving the 2025 Mileage Rate. Clerk Hann reported the new IRS mileage rate is increasing to 70 cents. A motion to approve the 2025 Mileage Rate of 70 cents was made by Herrick/Fleming. Motion carried. Consider/Act on the Joint Powers Agreement County 911 Emergency System. Clerk Hann presented the Agreement from the County. Supervisor Morris stated everything is explained in the agreement and the county already has signed it. A motion to approve the Joint Powers Agreement County 911 Emergency System was made by Fleming/Morris. Motion carried. Consider/Act on 2025 Road Project Bids for: Beaver Court, Beaver View Road, Caddy Court, Chenequa Circle, Chenequa Drive, Club Circle, Club Court, Golf Road, Lower Club Circle, Swallow Lane, Alternate Sites (Ainsworth Road, Chardon Drive). DPW Director Griffin reviewed the bids with the alternate site. He is recommending going with Stark Pavement with the alternate road of Ainsworth which would get us close to the 2025 budgeted amount. A motion to approve the 2025 Road Project Bids for Beaver Court, Beaver View Road, Caddy Court, Chenequa Circle, Chenequa Drive, Club Circle, Club Court, Golf Road, Lower Club Circle, Swallow Lane and Alternate Sites - Ainsworth Road with Stark Pavement Corporation for $1,007,672 was made by Morris/Fleming. Motion carried. Clerk, Board, Highway, Treasurer and Attorney Reports. DPW Director Griffin stated the town is looking at replace the trees that were removed by Holly Stapleton’s property. The town had to wait until the storm water study was completed before determining where the trees can go. Morris attend the Town’s Association meeting at the Town of Brookfield and Waukesha County did a capital update on the road projects in Waukesha County. Herrick reported the he was at the library board Page 3 of 3 meeting and that they should address the brightness of the new sign. Clerk Hann reported that auditors will be at the townhall next week and passed around an updated phone list for the board. Chairman Klink stated that he will contact the library board to set up a meeting between the two boards in February. Vouchers as Presented – A motion to approve the vouchers as presented was made by Herrick/Morris. Motion carried. Adjourn - A motion to adjourn was made by Fleming/Herrick. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Donna Hann, Town Clerk